A Whimsical Escape & Coffee Obsession – My Visit to Mermaid Coffee Roasters, Ikebukuro, Tokyo

#tokyospots Nestled just a short stroll northeast of Ikebukuro Station (Toshima-ku), Mermaid Coffee Roasters is a memorable blend of specialty coffee, eclectic decor, and warm hospitality. Housed in a four-story building that’s part café and part vintage collector’s refuge, it opened in 2022 and quickly became a favorite for locals and visitors alike . I arrived at about 10 AM on a weekday and spent around 1.5 hours savoring both drinks and ambience across the basement to rooftop levels. Each floor has its own character—eclectic art, antique furniture, plants, and hidden mermaid motifs woven through the decor. Highlights: • ☕ Coffee selection & tastings: Home-roasted beans from dark to medium roast are displayed near the entrance—and you can sample them before ordering. I opted for a fruity medium roast oat-milk latte and later, an ice latte that balanced crispness and sweetness perfectly (). • 🍪 Snacks & pastries: The matcha scone (delicate, subtly sweet) and green-tea cookies paired well with the coffee. The rotating snack menu includes spinach-cheese danish, roasted tea scones, and gelato with banana and coffee flavors . • 🏛️ Atmosphere: The décor is whimsically medieval-meets-mermaid—framed art, seashell motifs, carved wood, mismatched chairs—yet feels cozy and almost homely in its eccentricity . • 🪑 Seating & vibe: Seating is generous across four floors, with power outlets and Wi-Fi on most levels—many visitors come to work or relax. Staff offer friendly guidance and sometimes even walk you to the door on departure—a level of hospitality consistently praised in reviews . ⸻ Admission & Practical Info • 🕒 Hours: Daily 9:00 AM–10:00 PM • 💴 Prices: Lattes and iced drinks ¥600–700; pastries ¥400–700 • 📍 Address: 1‑23‑4 Higashi‑Ikebukuro, Toshima, Tokyo—4 min walk from Ikebukuro East Exit    • ♿ Facilities: No reservations; casual seating with power outlets; English-friendly service • ⏱ Visit Time: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on whether you linger or work ⸻ Why It’s Worth Visiting • 🌊 An offbeat aesthetic: Whimsical mermaid theming meets antique styling—fun but not overstated • ☕ Flexible coffee adventure: Bean tastings before ordering, rotating roasts, oat-milk options, and specialty drinks like espresso lemonade or “craft cola coffee”   • 🍰 Baked goods as mood enhancers: The matcha scone and cookies are guest favorites—light and well paired with coffee • 🪩 Atmosphere for working or unwinding: Four floors of varied spaces, outlets provided, ambient soul music—great for remote work or slow reading • 🌟 Authentic service culture: Staff are consistently noted for kindness and attentiveness—some go as far as opening doors to see you off   ⸻ Final Thoughts Mermaid Coffee Roasters is far from ordinary—it surprises with its cafe-meets-art-salon feel.